At first glance, starting plants in the autumn seems to be a fool's errand. You might enjoy some late season growth in the garden, but any plants will soon be frozen out by the encroaching winter.

Yet several factors make autumn an advantageous time to establish new plants, shrubs, and trees as part of your landscaping. As long as you don't complete this work too close to the season's first hard frost, it can help encourage stronger growth for the next year.

One of the best advantages to fall planting is the ability for a plant to establish hearty roots. High Country Gardens, a New Mexico company, says root growth is concentrated in the later months of a growing season. In the time available before winter arrives, the plant will direct its energy toward putting down roots and taking up nutrients, allowing it to grow more robustly once the winter dormancy is over.

Even as the air temperature drops, the soil temperature will typically be high enough to encourage growth for some time. Douglass Delano, writing for the company Level Green Landscaping in Upper Marlboro, Md., says the roots of a plant will be preparing for winter even as the leaves and other upper parts of the plant start to die back. The University of New Hampshire Extension says root growth typically continues until the soil temperature falls below 40 degrees.

Although spring is considered the traditional time for planting, autumn conditions can actually be more advantageous. Spring tends to be more unpredictable; heavy rains can make the soil too wet for new plants, and the garden can also be harmed by a late frost or snowfall. The damp conditions of spring can sometimes be followed by hot, dry conditions, which can scorch leaves and limit growth.

By contrast, autumn conditions tend to be milder. The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Ill., says the cooler temperatures reduce the chance of heat stress on plants, while rainfall is usually moderate enough to support plants without oversaturating them. Plants also lose less moisture to the atmosphere due to cooler temperatures.

Many gardeners find fall conditions more pleasant to work in than spring or summer conditions. Benjamin Vogt, writing for the home improvement site Houzz, says you won't have to endure sweltering heat or humidity, and you won't have to monitor your plants as closely since they'll require less maintenance during this season.

In addition, nurseries and garden centers tend to offer plants at a discount later in the growing season. The Penn State Extension says you should first check to make sure the plant has not become too tightly constricted by the container it has been growing in. Always loosen the roots of a container plant before transferring it to the ground; for trees and shrubs, cut an X on the bottom of the root ball as well as shallow slits on the sides of the roots to help them expand.

Consider smaller potted plants for this season as well. Vogt says it's easier to free the roots in these plants, and they'll transplant easier as well.

Choose plants that are well-suited for fall planting. The University of New Hampshire Extension says deciduous shrubs and trees will endure autumn conditions better than evergreens, which will continue to lose water during the winter and are more vulnerable to damage if they are not well-established. Plants with shallow, fibrous roots will also do better than ones with large taproots.

Pansies and violas will not only provide a late season burst of color when planted in the fall, but will also bloom again in the spring. Meadows Gardens, a landscaping company in the Washington, D.C. metro area, says other good choices for fall planting include chrysanthemums and kale.

Some plants, such as garlic, can be planted in the fall for a spring crop. Delano says autumn is also a good time to establish bulbs that will flower in the spring, including crocuses, daffodils, and tulips.

Your grass can also benefit from some close attention in this season. The cool temperatures and mild soil temperatures are good for establishing either sod or soil. Meadows Gardens says lawns will also benefit from a late feeding with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

Plants established in the fall are easier to maintain, but you'll still have to be careful not to let them dry out. High Country Gardens says you should water the garden if it doesn't get enough natural rainfall, reducing the frequency of these waterings as temperatures become cooler. You may also want to put down a fresh layer of mulch to help with moisture retention.

Don't start any plants too close to the first anticipated frost date. The Morton Arboretum says poorly established plants will have weaker roots and are more likely to fail. The University of New Hampshire Extension says six weeks of mild but not freezing temperatures are ideal.